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Seattle drivers spent almost two days stuck in traffic in 2010

Seattle commuters spent 44 hours stuck in rush-hour traffic in 2010, which made for the 12th-worst-ranked congestion in the country, according to the newest Urban Mobility Report by the Texas Transportation Institute.

The good news is Seattle’s commute was no better or worse than the year before, and it’s been improving over the last decade.

The average amount of delay in 439 urban areas was 34 hours. Washington, D.C., had the worst congestion with the average commuter spending 74 hours stuck in traffic and wasting 37 gallons.

In Portland, the number was 37 hours, 19th in the nation, according to the report. Portland, however, got credit for promoting urban density and investing in transit, which seemed to keep travel delays in check by encouraging people to take shorter trips or light rail instead.

Traffic congestion nationwide is returning to levels prior to the onset of the recession in 2008, according to the report, which is based on an analysis of traffic volume data from states combined with traffic speeds data from Kirkland-based INRIX.

Another metric worth noting: Seattle’s travel time index was 1.37, which was sixth-worst. The travel time index measures the time it takes to drive somewhere during rush hour compared to free-flow periods. A value of 1.30 indicates a 20-minute free-flow trip takes 26 minutes in the peak period, according to the report.

The extra time in traffic cost $942 per Seattle commuter (excess fuel and value of time, estimated at $8 per hour).

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.